Moose

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Moose Lake was conducted on August 24-25, 2021, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 14 sampling stations, but three stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, a 15-foot seine was used at three stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at seven stations. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Rock Bass) and no species that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2021 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Moose Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River-Headwaters Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Moose Lake is a 601-acre lake with a maximum depth of 71 feet. The lake is located north of the town of Pennington in eastern Beltrami County. Public access is located on the east shore of the lake off of Timberwolf Road Northeast. Moose Lake is managed primarily for Walleye, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass with Northern Pike managed as a secondary species. Moose Lake is a popular fishing lake with the local populace and resort guests. The Walleye population is maintained through annual fingerling stocking. The 2021 survey showed an increase in the Walleye gill-net catch rate (5.9 per net) which meets management goals. Walleye captured in 2021 had an average size of more than 18 inches in length. The largest Walleye captured in the survey measured just over 26 inches. The 2021 Northern Pike catch rate of 10.2 fish per net was slightly lower than findings in the previous survey. Few pike over 30 inches in length were measured and only nine percent exceeded 26 inches. . There is currently an abundance of fish directly below the 22-26 inch protected slot limit which are vulnerable to the north-central zone's expanded 10 fish bag limit. Moose would be a good choice for anglers interested in taking advantage of this liberal harvest regulation. Black Crappie were found in strong numbers and 60% of those fish exceeded 10 inches in length. The largest crappie captured in the survey was 13.3 inches. Bluegills are abundant in Moose Lake but lack the larger sizes commonly desired by anglers. The largest captured was 7.8 inches and overall average length was 5.5 inches.

Moose Lake (D.O.W. # 04-0011-00) is a 658-acre lake with a maximum depth of 71 feet located six miles north of Pennington in eastern Beltrami County. There are a moderate number of lake homes, cabins, and three resorts on Moose Lake with the remainder of the shoreline consisting of bog and wetland complexes. There is a public access consisting of a concrete boat ramp and parking for about six trucks/trailers located on the east shoreline off of Damon Lake Road. Moose Lake is managed for Walleye, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Statewide fishing regulations apply to all species (no special regulations). The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota lakes based on similarities in lake basin (depth, size) and water chemistry (alkalinity, water clarity). Moose Lake is in lake class 25. The following discussion makes comparisons between Moose Lake and other class 25 lakes in the state. Other Bemidji area lakes in this class include Pimushe Lake, Turtle River Lake, and Lake Itasca. The 2016 Walleye catch rate of 2.56/gill net was near the median for class 25 lakes (3/gill net), an improvement from 1.44/gill net in the 2011 assessment. This is good news since Walleye management has been a challenge in recent years. Walleye fry stocking which had provided a good fishery for years had become less effective. A management plan revision following the 2011 assessment switched to a more aggressive fingerling stocking program. Young Walleye from recent fingerling stockings (8 to 16 inches in length) accounted for 56% of the catch. Walleye captured averaged 17.3 inches in length and 2.06 lbs/fish, which is above the median (1.68 lbs/fish) for class 25 lakes. The largest Walleye captured was 26.22 inches in length. The Bluegill catch rate of 36.11/trap net was near the top of the range found in similar lakes (5.61/trap net - 42.27/trap net). Bluegill captured averaged 6.22 inches in length and 0.18 lbs/fish which is equal to the median average size for class 25 lakes. Few Bluegill captured exceeded 8 inches in length, with the largest Bluegill measuring 8.62 inches in length. Black Crappie catch rates fell within the normal range for class 25 lakes (0.89/trap net). The average size of 8.71 inches in length and 0.35 lbs/fish was similar to the median average size for class 25 lakes (0.33 lbs/fish). Moose Lake Northern Pike numbers have been well above the typical range for class 25 lakes (3.13/gill net - 8.50/gill net) for the past several assessments. Over-abundant pike populations tend to be dominated by smaller fish that increase competition for food resources for all species in the lake. The 2016 Northern Pike catch rate of 13.56/gill net showed some improvement from 18.56/gill net in the 2011 assessment but was still well above what fisheries managers would like to see. It is likely that high pike abundance has had an impact on both walleye and perch abundance. The average size of 20.67 inches in length and 1.97 lbs/fish is similar to the average median size of 2.01 lbs/fish for similar lakes. Eighteen percent of the catch exceeded 24 inches in length. The 2016 Yellow Perch catch rate of 3.89/gill net was just within the range found in similar lakes (2.50/gill net - 24.17/gill net). The average size of 6.35 inches in length and 0.11 lbs/fish was also just within the range found in similar lakes (0.10 lbs/fish - 0.18 lbs/fish). The largest Yellow Perch captured measured 7.95 inches in length. Other species of fish captured in the 2016 assessment were Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, Rock Bass and Bullhead species.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Rock Bass, and Northern Pike in Moose. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Moose. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Moose has a maximum depth of 71 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Moose is from 2021.

Yes — Moose has confirmed starry stonewort. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.